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Overview

Programme Overview

Professional urban planners play a critical role in shaping our urban environments economically, environmentally, socially and culturally.

The Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) explores how towns, cities and public spaces can impact our lives. You will use both critical analysis and creativity to address real-world issues and explore the implications of urban development.

With a BUrbPlan(Hons), you’ll be eligible to apply for membership of the New Zealand Planning Institute.

Programme Careers

Potential Careers

The three common avenues for employment in urban planning are local government, central government and private practice. BUrbPlan(Hons) graduates generally start out assisting in all aspects of planning, and later choose to specialise in one domain, such as transport, consents, environmental planning or design.

Jobs related to this programme

  • Central, regional and local government bodies
  • Community groups
  • Iwi authorities
  • Non-governmental organisations
  • Private practice
  • Urban design

Student career planning services

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

Key Information for Students

Key Information for Students

Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.

Experience the University

Video

Take a 360° virtual tour with Urban Planning students

Enjoy a 360° virtual tour of some of the Urban Planning spaces on campus.

Entry Requirements, Fees and Dates

Programme Entry Requirements

Overseas qualifications

If your highest qualification was gained outside New Zealand, view our international entry requirements


New Zealand secondary school qualifications

You are guaranteed entry to this programme if you meet these requirements.

  1. First, you must meet the University Entrance (UE) standard.
  2. You must also meet the rank score for this programme. Not sure about your rank score? Use our rank score calculator.
  3. You may need to have studied certain subjects or achieved credits in particular subjects.
  4. Some programmes have additional requirements, such as an interview, portfolio or references.

Guaranteed rank score, subject and other requirements

If your rank score is slightly lower than the guaranteed score, we encourage you to still apply. We will consider your application if places are available. If you don’t meet the requirements, you may be able to apply under our Undergraduate Targeted Admission Schemes.

Qualification and Score required

NCEA - 180

CIE - 190

IB - 27


New Zealand tertiary qualifications

You can transfer from another tertiary institution, or another University of Auckland qualification, if you meet these requirements.

Guaranteed grade requirements

These are the grades required for guaranteed entry to this programme. If your grades are slightly lower, we encourage you to still apply. We will consider your application if places are available.  

Grade required

3.0 Grade Point average Calculate your Grade Point Average

3.0 Grade Point equivalent Calculate your Grade Point Equivalent

Further Programme Entry Requirements

Some programmes have additional requirements, such as an interview, portfolio or references.

Find a Supervisor

Depending on the type of programme you are pursuing, you may have the opportunity to complete a unique research project. To find out more about the research carried out at the University of Auckland and to identify potential supervisors, check out our researcher profiles.

Other Pathways to Study

You could be eligible for another programme, or check out these alternative pathways:

Fees and scholarships

Fees

Fees Disclaimer

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses. For more information, please see Fees and Money Matters.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

Scholarships

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Loans and Allowances

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of Living

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

Advice on Programme Limits

This is a limited entry programme: there is a limit on the number of enrolments due to staff or space capacity. For more information, please see the Programme and Course Limitations section of the University Academic and General Statutes and Regulations.

Key Dates

Key Dates

SemesterApplication Closing DateSemester Start DateSemester End Date
2026 Semester One08 December 202502 March 202629 June 2026

Other Important Dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

Regulations

Preamble

The regulations for this degree are to be read in conjunction with all other relevant statutes and regulations including the Academic Statutes and Regulations.

Admission

1 No student on whom the Bachelor of Planning has been conferred or who has passed more than 240 points towards the Bachelor of Planning, or equivalent, may enrol for this degree.

Notes:

(i) This is a limited entry programme as per the Limitation of Entry Statute 1991 and selection criteria apply. Selection criteria are available from the Faculty of Engineering and Design.

(ii) To be admitted a student must meet University entry criteria and through the submission of a written statement demonstrate knowledge required for the programme.

Duration and Total Points Value

2 A student enrolled for this degree must follow a programme of the equivalent of eight full-time semesters and pass courses with a total value of 480 points, unless credit is granted under the Admission Regulations and/or the Credit Regulations.

Structure and Content

3 A student must pass courses with a total value of 480 points as listed in the Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) Schedule.

4 A student who is required to meet the Academic English Language Requirement, as specified in the Enrolment and Programme Regulations, Academic English Language Requirement, of the University Calendar, may substitute an academic English language course approved by Senate or its representative for 15 points of General Education.

5 a A student must pass each of Parts I, II, III, and IV as listed in the Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) Schedule.

b (i) A student will not be permitted to enrol for Part II unless Part I has been completed, nor to enrol for Part III unless Part II has been completed, nor to enrol for Part IV unless Part III has been completed.

(ii) However, a student who has failed to pass one of those parts in its entirety may be allowed, at the discretion of Senate or its representative, to enrol for the course or courses needed to complete that Part together with a course or courses towards the next Part.

(iii) Only in exceptional circumstances will a student be permitted to enrol for Part III unless all of Part I has been completed, or to enrol for Part IV unless all of Part II has been completed.

(iv) A student will not be permitted to enrol for Part IV if they have not completed 15 points from courses offered in a General Education Schedule approved for this degree.

(v) In order to complete the requirements for General Education students must pass the Academic Integrity course as specified in the Enrolment and Programme Regulations, Academic Integrity, of the University Calendar.

General Education Exemptions

6 a A student is exempted from the requirement to pass courses offered in the General Education Schedules who has:

either

(i) completed an undergraduate degree at a tertiary institution

or

(ii) commenced study for this degree at a tertiary institution before 1 January 2006

or

(iii) been admitted to this degree having completed 240 points or more of degree-level study at another tertiary institution

or

(iv) completed a minimum of 50 points of study towards this degree in one semester at an overseas institution, either through an overseas exchange programme or through prior approval under the Credit Regulations. 

b A student who has been exempted from the requirement to pass courses offered in the General Education Schedules must substitute the requirement with courses approved by the Head of School of Architecture and Planning.

c A student who has been fully exempted from the requirement to pass courses offered in the General Education Schedules is nonetheless required to complete the Academic Integrity course.

Distinction

7 a Honours will be awarded in one of three classes: First Class Honours, Second Class Honours or Third Class Honours. Second Class Honours are awarded in either First Division or Second Division.

b The class of Honours will be determined by the student’s points-weighted Grade Point Average over courses attempted for Parts II, III and IV, excluding General Education.

c The class of Honours is determined by the weighted Grade Point Average, rounded to one decimal point, as follows:

7.0 to 9.0 – First Class Honours

5.5 to 6.9 – Second Class Honours First Division

4.0 to 5.4 – Second Class Honours Second Division

3.9 and below – Third Class Honours.

Variations

8 In exceptional circumstances the Programme Director may approve a variation to a student’s programme of study in accordance with the Enrolment and Programme Regulations.

Regulation Commencement or Amendment

9 These regulations and/or schedule have been amended with effect from 1 January 2026.

Schedule

Programme Schedules

Complete 480 points comprising:

  • 465 points for Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) Courses, and
  • 15 points from General Education Courses, and
  • 1 item from Academic Integrity Course

Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) Courses

Complete 465 points comprising:

  • 120 points for all Part I, and
  • 120 points for all Part II, and
  • 105 points for all Part III, and
  • 120 points for Part IV

Part IV

Complete 120 points comprising:

  • 90 points for all Compulsory Courses, and
  • 30 points for all Research Project

Research Project

Complete 30 points for ALL of the following:

General Education Courses

Complete exactly 15 points from the following:

No credit will be given for WTRAED 100.

Academic Integrity Course

Complete exactly 1 of the following:

Degree Plan

Overview

Degree Plan for the Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours)

Year 1
Semester One
People, Place and Design Studio
Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) Courses - Part I
15 Points
Environmental and Social Justice
Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) Courses - Part I
15 Points
Media for Spatial Practices
Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) Courses - Part I
15 Points
Waipapa Taumata Rau: Engineering and Design for the Built Environment in Aotearoa New Zealand
Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) Courses - Part I
15 Points
Academic Integrity Course
Academic Integrity Course
Points
Semester Two
Introduction to Urban Planning
Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) Courses - Part I
15 Points
Ecosystem, Sustainability and Environment
Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) Courses - Part I
15 Points
Urban Planning Studio 1
Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) Courses - Part I
30 Points
Year 2
Semester One
People, Housing and Communities
Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) Courses - Part II
15 Points
Urban Economics
Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) Courses - Part II
15 Points
Urban Planning Studio 2
Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) Courses - Part II
30 Points
Semester Two
Urban Infrastructure and Transportation Planning
Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) Courses - Part II
15 Points
Planning Law and Applications
Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) Courses - Part II
15 Points
Urban Planning Studio 3
Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) Courses - Part II
30 Points
Year 3
Semester One
Negotiation, Mediation and Project Management
Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) Courses - Part III
15 Points
Urban Policy Analysis, Development and Research Skills
Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) Courses - Part III
15 Points
Urban Planning Studio 4
Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) Courses - Part III
30 Points
Semester Two
Māori Planning
Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) Courses - Part III
15 Points
Urban Planning Studio 5
Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) Courses - Part III
30 Points
General Education Courses
15 Points

Or AELR course if required

Year 4
Semester One
Urban Planning Theory - Level 9
Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) Courses - Part IV - Compulsory Courses
15 Points
Resource Consents and Implementation, Evaluation - Level 9
Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) Courses - Part IV - Compulsory Courses
15 Points
Contemporary Wicked Problem Studio - Level 9
Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) Courses - Part IV - Compulsory Courses
30 Points
Semester Two
Urban Planning Methods and Plan Making Studio - Level 9
Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) Courses - Part IV - Compulsory Courses
15 Points
Smart City Planning - Level 9
Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) Courses - Part IV - Compulsory Courses
15 Points
Research Project - Level 9
Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours) Courses - Part IV - Research Project
30 Points

Graduate Profile and Programme Capabilities

Graduate Profile

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Programme Capabilities

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Programme Capabilities to Graduate Profile Map

Programme Learning OutcomesPeople and PlaceSustainabilityKnowledge and PracticeCritical ThinkingSolution-SeekingCommunicationCollaborationEthics and Professionalism